Meta Plans 2026 AI Smartwatch with Health Tracking, Expands Nvidia Partnership
Meta is reviving its shelved Malibu 2 smartwatch with health tracking and an integrated AI assistant for a 2026 launch after pausing the project in 2022 and delaying its Phoenix MR glasses until 2027. The company has also expanded a multi-year AI infrastructure partnership with Nvidia to deploy CPUs, GPUs, Spectrum-X networking, Grace CPU systems and rack-scale confidential computing across its data centers and WhatsApp platform.
1. Meta Revives Malibu 2 Smartwatch Project
Originally shelved in 2022 due to Reality Labs budget cuts, Meta has resurrected its Malibu 2 smartwatch with plans for a 2026 debut. The device will offer health and fitness tracking alongside a built-in Meta AI assistant, marking Meta’s first entry into AI-powered wearables after exploring a three-camera concept five years ago.
2. AR/MR Device Launch Schedule Revised
Meta currently has four AR and MR glasses in development but is spacing out releases to avoid consumer confusion. The company notified Reality Labs employees in December that the Phoenix MR glasses launch will be pushed back to 2027 as it recalibrates its device rollout timetable.
3. Expanded AI Infrastructure Deal with Nvidia
Meta and Nvidia have agreed on a multi-year collaboration to deploy Nvidia CPUs, GPUs, Spectrum-X Ethernet networking and Grace CPU-only systems across Meta’s on-premises and cloud infrastructure. The partnership also includes rack-scale confidential computing for private processing within WhatsApp and co-design efforts to optimize software and hardware integration.